Lionel Messi is set to leave FC Barcelona after his club said a new contract “cannot happen” in line with financial fair play rules set by LaLiga.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has officially been a free agent since 1 July after he failed to agree terms over a renewal before his previous Barcelona contract expired on 30 June.
However, the 34-year-old had been expected to sign a new five-year contract with the Catalan club, which would have seen his salary reduced by 50%.
In a statement, Barca insisted both it and Messi were willing to extend his stay but claimed LaLiga regulations had made this impossible.
The club had been struggling to reduce its wage bill, in line with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules, for the coming season with the COVID-19 pandemic severely reducing its budget for 2021-22.
Sky Sports
